Fully funded PhD studentship in Local Health Inequalities in an Age of Austerity: the Stockton on Tees Study

About the Award
Applications are invited for a fully-funded three-year doctoral studentship as part of a large 5 year research project funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The project aims to provide a contemporary and innovative, theoretically informed, comprehensive, interdisciplinary, mixed methods intensive case study of the aetiology and experience of health inequalities in Stockton on Tees, North East England.

Eligibility
We are looking for candidates who are interested in pursuing doctoral research in the areas of health and wider socio economic inequalities. Candidates will be expected to assist with a longitudinal health survey of the Stockton on Tees area. The survey will investigate the health inequalities between the 20% most and the 20% least deprived wards in the locality using a sample of 500 individuals drawn from households. Interviews will be carried out every 12 months for 4 years providing a face-to-face baseline survey with 3 telephone follow ups. Comprehensive demographic and social determinants of health data will be collected and health will be measured using well validated instruments of general health, physical health and mental health. Candidates will be expected to pursue a particular issue within the social determinants of health.

Applicants should be outstanding graduates (2:1 or 1st class honours degree, Masters degree desirable) of health geography, sociology, social policy, social anthropology, or public health, with a particular interest in social surveys, quantitative data, practical fieldwork and analysis. The project will be supervised by Professor Clare Bambra, Dr Jon Warren and Dr Adetayo Kasim. The student must be able to work independently but will also be expected to contribute to the wider project including co-authoring PhD and project papers.

How to Apply
To apply for this studentship you must submit all the following documents to Veronica Crooks by Monday 24th June, 2013 at the latest:

CV

A short summary demonstrating how your skills and interests can contribute to the project (one page)

Two references from academic referees

Certificates of qualification

Academic transcripts

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview at the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University Queens Campus, Stockton on Tees. The studentship includes a stipend and the tuition fees at the UK / EU rate. The studentship will start on 1st October, 2013.

If you have any questions about any part of the application process please contact Veronica Crooks.